CEO, Board President

Kevin serves as the Board President and volunteer unpaid CEO for The Next Adventure. He is a retired Senior Deputy District Attorney for Santa Barbara County, where he prosecuted rapists, murderers and child molesters. He witnessed firsthand the impact on kids who were in and out of foster care both as crime victims as children and also as criminal defendants as adults. Before serving as a DDA in Santa Maria, he worked in San Diego as a City Attorney prosecuting misdemeanors. During law school he interned at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, San Diego Police Department, and volunteered helping victims of domestic violence fill out restraining orders.

In his spare time he enjoys hiking. In 2017 he and his wife, Samantha, hiked the entirety of the Pacific Crest Trail. He also enjoys traveling and has visited 146 countries over the past 35 years. He came out of retirement to help at risk youth who are truly innocent and worthy of our help as a community. He can be contacted directly by anyone who wants to help further our mission.

Executive Director

Jessica Duffy serves as Executive Director, bringing a blend of creative vision and operational leadership to her work. She began her career working in the film industry in post production working closely with the lead producers at a52 in Santa Monica, where she managed deadlines and coordinated teams in a fast-paced environment. She later became a manager and instructor at Anam Cre Pottery in San Luis Obispo, where she currently leads studio operations while teaching ceramics and mentoring artists. Jessica holds a degree in Visual Communication from Seattle Pacific University and brings a strong foundation in art, design, and community-centered leadership to her nonprofit work.

Board Member, Treasurer

Vicki Duffy brings a strong heart for service and community engagement to the Board of Directors. She has volunteered as a Customer Service Ambassador at the San Diego International Airport, assisting travelers with information and hospitality. Vicki has also supported her community as Front of House staff for the San Diego Symphony and served as an usher at The Old Globe Theatre. Through these roles, she has cultivated strong interpersonal skills and a deep commitment to creating welcoming, positive experiences for all.

Board Secretary

Terri received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Welfare and a Master's degree in Social Work. She maintained certification in Addiction Treatment for 16 years. She was employed with the County of San Luis Obispo in Child Welfare Services and Drug and Alcohol Services for over 25 years. She worked for various private agencies for at risk youth and court mandated drug treatment for 8 years. She maintained internship supervision for various agencies. She is currently retired, living in Long Beach, California.

Board Member

Michael was born and raised in Northeast Los Angeles and served in the U.S. Army, including a tour in Vietnam in 1969. After pursuing his education at Wilson HS, ELAC, and Cal-State LA, he built a career in public service spanning the City of Los Angeles and the U.S. Postal Service. In 1986, Michael moved to San Luis Obispo County, transitioning into the non-profit sector and serving as a counselor for drug and alcohol diversion programs. He eventually joined the Social Security Administration, retiring in 2018 as a GS-11 with 30 years of federal service, though he continues to assist others with SSA benefits as a retired annuitant.

As a 100% disabled veteran, Michael overcame the challenges of PTSD and entered 12-step recovery in 1987. Since then, he has been a pillar of that community, volunteering weekly at the local county jail for over 35 years. Outside of his service work, Michael is a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who bicycles 40 miles a week, restores vintage motorcycles, and DJs at a local radio station. With a lifetime of professional expertise and personal triumphs, Michael is ready to contribute his vast experience to his Next Adventure.

Board Member

George Phelan, Ed.D. has been an associate professor of English as a Second Language at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, California since 2004. He has taught and mentored hundreds of young adults. George has travelled to over 30 countries and lived for extensive periods of time in Thailand and the United Arab Emirates, where he worked as an English as a Foreign Language professor. He lives in San Luis Obispo with his wife and two teenage daughters. He spends his free time reading travel literature, swimming, trail running, and serving as a level 3 coach for the local junior high and high school National Interscholastic Cycling Association cross country mountain bike team, the SLO Scoters.